The structure of affect: A network analytic moderation approach

We estimated a network model of trait affect to examine the pattern of associations between emotions. We reasoned that more independence across valences (e.g., enthusiastic-upset) and within valence (e.g., distressed-afraid) would represent a more adaptive affective structure characterized by greater emotion differentiation. The network structure was expected to vary as a function of effortful control and reactivity. We hypothesized effortful control would be associated with weaker associations between and within emotional valences and reactivity would be associated with stronger associations between and within emotional valences (less complexity). Hypotheses were partially supported in a cross-sectional study of 403 young adults. Findings indicated that low effortful control (e.g., low planning and problem solving) was related to stronger associations between emotional valences and reactivity (e.g., impulsivity, distractibility) was associated with stronger associations between negative emotions. This pattern of findings is consistent with a conceptualization of self-regulation characterized by more complex and unique emotional experiences. Unexpectedly, reactivity was associated with lower associations between positive emotions. These mixed findings give a preliminary window into the ways in which the structure of affect varies as a function of two important dimensions of self-regulation.